Police: Man had 34 guns, bomb-making materials

COSTA MESA – Police arrested a 66-year-old Costa Mesa man suspected of living in a business unit where investigators discovered 34 firearms and materials that authorities say could have been used to make explosive devices.

Investigators received an anonymous tip that Baylor Maggenti was in possession of an "improvised explosive device and materials for making explosives" and was living in a unit within a commercial business park in the 1800 block of Whittier Avenue, a police statement said.

Costa Mesa investigators obtained a search warrant, and with the assistance of the Orange County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad, began a search of the business unit about 6 p.m. Monday, police said.

During the search, police say they discovered "quantities of gun powder, fuse material and other materials sufficient to make improvised explosive devices."

Authorities say no assembled or completed explosive devices were found.

It wasn't immediately clear why the materials had been stockpiled in the unit.

Investigators also discovered 34 firearms during the search of the office unit, including "handguns and rifles, some semiautomatic and some commemorative or collectible in nature," as well as a "short-barreled shotgun and a semiautomatic handgun with potentially illegal modifications," the police statement said.

Maggenti was taken into custody Monday at the business unit and arrested on suspicion of unlawfully possessing explosive making materials. He was taken to the Costa Mesa city jail before being booked into the Orange County Jail.

Orange County Sheriff's Department records show Maggenti, whose occupation is listed as "retired," is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.